Dev1 Galaxy Forum / [HowTo] Use slimlock with xfce

Re: [HowTo] Use slimlock with xfce

dummy@example.com (Mercury) — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 23:17:55 +0000

That's an xfce-screensaver question. A brief search suggests that it uses its own locking utility that cannot be swapped for another. However, I don't use any screensaver so I can't say that with any certainty.

You'd run into the same issue if you wanted to use slock or i3lock or any other screenlocker.

Gemini has this to say:

> Is there a way for xfce-screensaver to use a screenlocker of my choice?
No, xfce4-screensaver cannot be configured to launch a third-party screen locker. It is hardcoded to use its own integrated graphical user interface for authentication.

Re: [HowTo] Use slimlock with xfce

dummy@example.com (tux_99) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:13:41 +0000

I noticed slimlock does not get used when the xfce-screensaver locks the screen, only when I click on "lock screen" manually.

Is there a way to get xfce-screensaver to use slimlock for the lock screen?

Re: [HowTo] Use slimlock with xfce

dummy@example.com (tux_99) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 06:21:13 +0000

Thanks for the how to, it works fine!

[HowTo] Use slimlock with xfce

dummy@example.com (Mercury) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:10:02 +0000

slimlock is included with the slim login manager. If you already have slim installed, there is no need to get another screenlocker utility. However, slimlock has one major difference to all other screenlockers: When called, it does not return with a success code until after the screen is unlocked. Other screenlockers return immediately and keep the screen locked.

If slimlock is set as the lock command in xfce4, it will not work correctly with sleep security. (Xfce Settings → Power Manager → System → Lock screen when system is going to sleep) Since xfce4 waits for the screenlocker to return before putting the system to sleep, the user sees the lock screen but the system will not sleep. Once the user unlocks the screen, then the system will go to sleep. Obviously this is not what the user wants.

Here's how to fix it.

Create the file /usr/local/bin/aslimlock.sh with these contents:

#!/bin/sh
/usr/bin/slimlock &
sleep 1
pgrep --parent ${$} --full --exact "/usr/bin/slimlock"

This script runs slimlock asynchronously, ensures that it is still running after one second, and returns a success or error code depending on the status.

Ensure this script is given execute permissions.

Now set aslimlock.sh as xfce4's lock command.

You can use the GUI: Navigate to Xfce Settings → Settings Editor → Channel: xfce4-session → Property: LockCommand; and enter /usr/local/bin/aslimlock.sh in the Value field.

Alternatively, you can use the command line:
xfconf-query --channel 'xfce4-session' --property '/general/LockCommand' --set '/usr/local/bin/aslimlock.sh'

The system will now correctly respond to a suspend request. The screen will lock and the system will enter sleep mode. On wake, the screen will be locked and awaiting a password.